'Wilfers' waste their time on web

BRITAIN is becoming a nation of aimless internet users, spending an average of two full working days a month surfing the web without any real purpose. More than two thirds of the 33.7 million internet users admit to being regularly distracted when surfing.

BRITAIN is becoming a nation of aimless internet users, spending an average of two full working days a month surfing the web without any real purpose.

More than two thirds of the 33.7 million internet users admit to being regularly distracted when surfing.

And almost a quarter of internet users spend 30 per cent or more of their internet time in the newly-identified habit of `wilfing' (What Was I Looking For?) - that's the equivalent to spending an entire working day every fortnight browsing the net aimlessly.

Pete Cohen, life coach and TV personality, said: "Not allowing ourselves to wilf takes a mixture of planning and willpower.

"These days there are all manner of websites gunning for our attention. Set yourself a specific surfing goal and time limit to keep on track."

Men vs women

The research, conducted by the price comparison website www.moneysupermarket.com , also reveals shopping websites are the biggest cause of wilfing - while men are much more likely to be wilfing than women.

A third of men quizzed admit wilfing has had a damaging effect on their relationship with their partner - a possible cause being that almost one in five men confess to being `distracted' from work or study by adult entertainment websites.

Jason Lloyd, of moneysupermarket.com, said: "The internet was designed to make it easier for people to access the information they need quickly and conveniently.

"However, our study shows people are now being offered so much choice that many forget what they are there for, and spend hours aimlessly wilfing instead."